Events

More than 2.4 million Americans are expected to lose their homes to a foreclosure this year, with the number of new Bay Area foreclosure filings rising dramatically over the summer. The fallout from the subprime lending scandal is continuing, but there is help.

In the midst of our housing foreclosure crisis, New America Media (NAM), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA) are sponsoring “Your Home, Your Rights,” a community forum and call to action offering detailed information on what residents need to know about home ownership and renter’s rights.

Services will include confidential one-on-one legal advice and counseling on foreclosure, fair housing and predatory lending issues (including advice to tenants in buildings that have been foreclosed on), as well as helping low- and moderate-income victims of predatory lending and foreclosure related abuses find legal representation.

Attendees can share stories with journalists and the media about the foreclosure crisis and get answers to their questions from housing counselors, tax experts and the Office of the Alameda County District Attorney (in charge of investigating predatory loans). Also scheduled is a selection of informational seminars about surviving the crisis.

Excerpts from Leslie Cockburn’s documentary movie “American Casino,” a powerful and shocking look at the subprime lending scandal, will be screened.

Admission to “Your Home, Your Rights” is free, and food and refreshments will be provided at no-cost. Translation services will be provided in Spanish and available in Vietnamese.